I fish from a Yak quite often, usually with a 8'6" or a 9 foot fly rod. I cast side armed if the cast is a long one. Try stopping your back cast higher while the line is still going in an upward direction. It takes some getting used to, but I find my Pungo a very good craft to fish from in lakes & slow moving rivers. I find that a 40 or 50 foot cast is all the distance I usually need, if that in most situations. Actually thirty feet is usually more than adequate for New Hampshire. I do not use the Yak in salt....yet that is! Fishhawk is working on me..... And I want to get a sit on top for salt anyway. More for transportation than fishing.